November 2016

We know you've got a lot of options when choosing a real estate agent.

So, what's better...selling or buying a home through a big, national brand real estate firm or going with a smaller shop? It's a fair question. Each option offers its own benefits and drawbacks, and what's right for you might not be right for your neighbor or your best friend.

We may be a little biased, of course, but we do think it's better to go with a boutique real estate firm than a big shop. Here's why.

The Internet Has Leveled the Playing Field

Back in the day, Realtors had to work in a central office to exchange information on which listings were available, what their clients were looking for, etc. Obviously, the more agents in an office, the more information could

It's a fair question.

The holidays are festive, they're cozy, and they're a lot of fun, but are they a bad time to list your home? In a word: No.Despite popular belief, homes still sell well in strong markets in fall, winter, and every other season. It's true that fewer homes sell during the holiday season, but what the statistics don't tell you is that holiday-listed homes can actually sell faster and for a higher price than those listed other times of year. Here's why.

Inventory is Low

The less competition your home has, the better it will be for your bottom line. Because of the fallacy that homes don't sell well during holiday season, many homeowners wait until spring to list. That gives you a great opportunity to list and get a lot of

It's almost the end of the year and we are still experiencing much of the same: high demand and low inventory. According to the Carolina Regional Realtor Association (CRRA) in their monthly indicators report, "A relatively comfortable pace of activity has been maintained thanks to continuing low unemployment and mortgage rates. The one basic drag on market acceleration has been inventory decline. There is little to indicate that the low inventory situation will resolve anytime soon." Year over year new listings are up across the region, as are median sales prices. Here is a snapshot of the Charlotte metro area Real Estate Market:

Need a little help breaking down the numbers? Here are a few points to consider:

We love a good deep-fried turkey as much as anyone.

(Bojangles sells a killer one, by the way!) But sometimes you just don't feel like cooking! Thanksgiving, at the end of the day, is about being joyful with family and friends. It doesn't really matter who does the food prep! If you're looking for the best Thanksgiving restaurant meals in Charlotte, check out our list of top picks for Turkey Day in 2016.

Chima

If you like meat, this is your spot. The Brazillian Steakhouse will be open all day on Thanksgiving serving lots of grilled meat, per usual.

Capital Grille (Uptown)

Not only will Charlotte's favorite steakhouse be serving the usual fare, their executive chef is putting a spin on some Thanksgiving favorites.